On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings finalized their efforts to retain one of their important backups along the offensive line.

Numerous sources have reported that the Vikings agreed to terms with offensive tackle Rashod Hill to return to the team. It is a one-year deal, and the financial terms were not immediately disclosed.

Hill has been with the Vikings since Minnesota grabbed him off of the practice squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2016 season. Hill played much of the 2016 regular season finale against the Chicago Bears, and between the 2017 and 2018 seasons started in 15 games for the Vikings, seeing time at both tackle spots. He was used as a sixth offensive lineman in “heavy” packages this past season, and is still the primary backup option at both tackle positions.

While the Vikings still have spots to fill on the offensive line, it’s nice to have someone like Hill back in the fold. He provides that backup option at both tackle spots, and has enough starting experience where he can be relied on in the event of an injury to start and not be a complete disaster. I’m going to assume that the deal to bring him back isn’t going to cost the Vikings a great deal of money.

Hunter Restructures Deal

The Minnesota Vikings on Friday restructured the contract of defensive end Danielle Hunter. On Saturday, details of the transaction were released.

According to Courtney Cronin of ESPN, the Vikings converted $8 million of Hunter’s $10.9 million base salary into a signing bonus. Doing so lowered Hunter’s 2020 cap hit from $14.5 million to $9 million, saving the team $5.5 million against the cap.

Hunter was a third-round pick of the Vikings in 2015. After registering 25.5 sacks in his first three seasons, he signed a 5-year contract extension with Minnesota on June 28, 2018 worth $72 million.

On that deal his cap figures were to be $14.5 million, $15 million, $15 million and $12 million the next four seasons. After the restructure, his new cap hits will now be $9 million, $17 million, $17 million and $14 million. Still a rather team-friendly deal for the youngest player ever to reach 50 sacks.

Hunter has recorded 14.5 sacks the last two seasons. He has 54.5 sacks in 49 career starts.